S Korea, US Reportedly See No Sign of Pyongyang’s Preparations for Missile Tests

Date of publication: 09 10 2017, 12:48

South Korea in cooperation with the United States has not noticed North Korea’s preparations for nuclear or missile tests ahead of the celebration for the country’s ruling party founding, media reported Monday.

On Tuesday, North Korea will celebrate Party Foundation Day to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. Seoul and Washington have reportedly enhanced surveillance operations involving the use of U-2S ultra-high altitude reconnaissance aircraft, RC-800 and RF-16 reconnaissance planes, the E-737 airborne early warning and control aircraft and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft.

Previously South Korea and the United States increased surveillance of North Korea amid expectations that Pyongyang might test-fire a ballistic missile.

These steps were connected with Russian lawmaker Anton Morozov’s warning on Friday that Pyongyang was preparing to test-fire a ballistic missile that could hit the west coast of the United States. The lawmaker was among three Russian parliamentarians who traveled to Pyongyang from October 2-6 to discuss the peaceful settlement of the current crisis on the Korean peninsula.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense due to Pyongyang’s missile launches and nuclear tests, all conducted in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The most recent missile test was conducted on September 15, when North Korea launched a ballistic missile, that flew over Japan before falling into the northern Pacific some 20 minutes after launch.